Kohima: The NSCN(IM) designated camp at Mukalimi village in Nagaland’s Zunheboto district was on Monday overrun and torched by the Sumi people angered over the alleged attempted rape and molestation of two women by cadres.
The people attacked the NSCN(IM) camp and set in on fire at 7.30 am with the cadres being chased away, district Superintendent of Police N B S Chumrengthung told PTI.
One person was injured in the leg by gunshots in the melee, he said, adding that casualties on the NSCN(IM) side could not be ascertained and they are yet to acquire details in this regard.
Chumrengthung confirmed that one civilian was killed on the first day of the clash on December 28. Seven others who were wounded that day were air-lifted to Dimapur for medical attention, he said.
Home Minister G Kaito Aye said, “It was good that the NSCN(IM) cadres vacated the camp before the issue turned worse.”
He said that in the interest of restoring peace and harmony in the state, the government had suggested that the cadres vacate the camp while appealing to the people to shun violence.
He said that the police registered a case for the alleged attemped rape and molestation on December 21 and also issued arrest warrants against the accused, who were cadres of NSCN(IM).
The people were angered by NSCN(IM) cadres waylaying a Zunheboto bound vehicle near Aghuito town and allegedly attempting to rape and molest two women passengers and also injuring two men on board on December 21.
The Sumi people had given a deadline to the NSCN(IM) to hand over the four accused cadres to the district authorities by Christmas day.
When the NSCN(IM) did not respond, the Sumi Hoho, an apex body of the district, announced a ‘Flush Out Mission’ on December 28. (PTI)
